Free Blissful volume 2 (New Adult Romance) by Clarissa Wild Page B

I want to play on it. Instruments always have that effect on me. I want to try them out, see how they play. That and the fact that I can release whatever’s built up inside me. Emotions come out much easier with music.
    Sitting down behind it, I start with some gentle notes, hoping Jack’s sister won’t notice. The Piano’s not even facing the bar, and I’m sitting with my back against the entrance, so I can’t see anyone if they were to sneak up behind me. Still, I can’t resist play ing.
    Soft keys become harsh notes , and soon I start singing with the melody.
     
    I want to be free
    Free of this burden
     
    Decisions, decisions
    They’re never easy, but always present
    Deciding fate
     
    Choosing a path is not for me
    No, not for me
    I don’t want to pick
    And risk losing
    One or the other
    I’m going to yield anyway
     
    Please help me find my way
    Find my way
     
    Tears trickle down my cheeks , and I have no idea where they’re coming from, but they make me feel a little less chained up.
    “Beautiful song you’re playing there.”
    I’m startled by the voice coming from behind me, and I press a note totally out of sync with the rest. Dang, there goes my peace.
    “Want somethin g to drink?” Jack’s sister says as she places her beer on the piano.
    “No, thanks. I’m fine.” I brush away the tears with my shirt and pretend I have something in my eye.
    “God, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone play on that thing.”
    “Really? When was that?”
    “Oh … you don’t know her. Rose McCallister. She was a wonderful person. Used to play on this thing every day. Back then I was still in business. Money was rollin’ in like candy.” She laughs , and it sounds more like a roar. “Scoot over,” she says, and she sits down next to me. The bench almost lifts up from the weight of her ass, and it makes me giggle a bit. Guess Jack was right about the women in this town being curvy, too.
    She holds out her hand. “Karen McCallister.”
    “Amy Brooks.” I shake her hands.
    She smiles for a moment and gazes into my eyes as if she sees something floating on my retina.
    “You know, you look just like her.”
    “Who? Rose?”
    She nods. Her comment makes me feel queasy. I know Rose meant a lot to Jack, and I don’t want to be the one replacing her. I don’t want that responsibility.
    Trying to ignore what’s going on in my mind, I start playing again.
    “If you want, you could play here more often. Maybe I could get some of those old customers back,” she says.
    My eyes widen and my mouth drops open. “What? Really?”
    “Uhuh. I was hoping I can get this place going again, and I’m thinking you’re just the marketing ploy I need. If things go well, I might even pay you for it.”
    “Oh my god. That would be wonderful!”
    She chuckles. “Great. I’m glad you’re in. But you’re better off not sharing this with Jack, though.”
    “Why?”
    “If you’re gonna be here a lot, means you’ll have to cross the bridge, and Jack won’t have that. Plus, he hates the idea of anyone else playing this beauty.”
    I sigh and lower my head between my shoulders. “I know. I wonder what’s bothering him so much.”
    She purses her lips. “Hmm …” I can see her think, and she avoids my eyes. She knows something.
    “But you know, don’t you? You know what happened to him?”
    “I do, but …”
    “You have to tell me,” I say.
    “No, sorry, darlin’, I can’t. Jack’s not been takin’ it so well ever since she … Well you’ve probably seen it.”
    “ You mean the binge drinking?” My fingers leave the piano. I can’t play notes talking about this heavy stuff.
    “I can’t say I don’t understand, I mean, I’ve been there myself. I don’t support what he’s doing, but it’s not like I can do something about it, either. It’s his choice.”
    “Yeah, well, it’s eating him up alive, and I don’t intend to just stand by and watch. Something needs to happen. I need to